ISTSS – Complex PTSD

THE International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS) has developed guidelines for the treatment of PTSD, the first of which were produced in 2000 followed by a revision published in 2008 (Foa, Keane, Friedman & Cohen, 2008). The 2008 guidelines acknowledge that the PTSD framework does not include salient symptoms and problems of individuals who are exposed to prolonged and repeated trauma such as childhood sexual abuse, domestic violence, and political violence, commonly referred to as Complex PTSD, and that these disturbances contribute to distressed lives and disability.

Accordingly, ISTSS has now developed best practices guidelines to aid clinicians in making decisions about the treatment of individuals with Complex PTSD.